Air Divine

Tempel Lipizzans

"Graceful white Lipizzan stallions are poetry in motion at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth. Styled after the shows at Vienna's Spanish Riding School, the Austrian stallions perform June 14 - September 12 on select Wed. Sat and Sun. After the show, visit Tempel Farms’ historic stables and view the antique carriage collection. "

- Illinois Bureau of Tourism

In the 16th and 17th centuries, many riding masters in Europe created academies where they taught sophisticated training methods, which elevated plain riding to an art form. This art of riding has survived for more than four centuries at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and is also practiced today at Tempel Farms, home of the world’s largest privately owned herd of Lipizzan horses. The training of the Lipizzan begins when the horse is 4 years old and lasts between three to five years. Our program will introduce you to various stages of this training. Read more about Tempel Lipizzans Heritage.

Mares and Foals

We begin with the newest Tempel Lipizzans born in Spring of 2015. The foals are born dark and will lighten with age until they reach their characteristic whiteness. Although rare, a Lipizzan can remain dark brown or black.

The Carriage Tradition

Since the breed’s origin, the Lipizzan has been used for driving. Each year, Tempel Lipizzan mares are selected to be trained for these purposes.

Young Stallions

These horses represent the future generation. Like young dancers, each Lipizzan could be in a different stage of development. They are required to move animatedly on straight lines, change direction and change tempo in the three natural gaits: walk, trot and canter.

All Steps and Movements of the Classical School

The upper-level horse is trained according to the classical principles of dressage. In recent years, these movements have been featured in the Olympic dressage test.

They include: all lateral movements in trot and canter; flying changes up to every stride; the piaffe, a highly collected, cadenced trot in place; the passage, an extremely collected trot in which there is a moment of suspension; and the pirouette, a slow motion turning in place at the canter.

Work in Hand and Airs Above the Ground

The trainer leads the horse by a short rein while calling for specific movements. Horses presented in hand first must master the piaffe, which develops the strength required for the Airs Above the Ground. It requires great strength and intelligence to perform the following Airs Above the Ground, which were originally used as medieval battle techniques and later refined to their present form.

Levade

A horse sitting deeply and well balanced on his haunches, maintaining an angle of 45 degrees or less to the ground.

Courbette

Several forward jumps by the horse on his hind legs.

Capriole

The horse jumps up then kicks out violently with their hind legs. It is a rare stallion with the smarts, musculature and energy to perform this spectacular movement.

The Quadrille

The “Ballet of the White Stallions” requires great skill in order to perform the intricate choreography of classical movements with precision and ease.